"I think he'll fit in perfectly," Manning said. "He's a great player. He's a great kid. I know he's excited about getting started. I remember that feeling I had as a rookie."

Luck, the top pick in this year's NFL Draft, will be counted on to fill Manning's shoes as a Hall of Fame-caliber signal-caller after the team cut ties with its longtime star this offseason.

Manning said he has spoken with both Luck and No. 2 overall pick Robert Griffin III, who's expected to turn around the Washington Redskins.

Manning is no stranger to sky-high expectations. The 14-year veteran took over a poor Colts team as the No. 1 overall draft pick, eventually leading them to a Super Bowl championship.

Now with the Denver Broncos, Manning said he feels a bit like a first-timer with his new team.

"I feel good, working hard," he said, adding that he expected to be in full health by the beginning of the regular season. "You kind of feel like a rookie again, learning a whole new offense. Unfortunately, you aren't allowed to play like a rookie."

Manning missed all of the 2011 season with a neck injury that required four surgeries to repair.